Fred reached his destination, still playing around with being invisible. He saw a guy pull over on the road before he got to the address. He slammed his hands on the hood of the car. The guy inside jumped and hit his head on the roof while Fred got a good laugh. “If I’m invisible, then will this thing see me?” he wondered as he reached the exact street the Unknown would show itself on. “Of course it will. It's in this realm isn't it? It's not in our realm. Otherwise people would have seen these things too.”
The night was beautiful. The moon was up and the whole sky looked bright. Fred walked around the front yard of the first house on the street he was supposed to be on. He looked around but it was empty. A bunch of parked cars along the side walk. A broken mail box on the forth house a little farther down the street. A screaming household across from him. A flickering green light on the end of the street. Yet not a monster in sight.
“Did I read the address wrong? No way. I looked at it like four times. This is the place. It has to be,” he thought to himself while looking around some more. He went into the back yards of the houses. He saw one or two pools but again, everything was empty. He began to get annoyed. “They want me to go hunting but there's nothing to actually hunt,” shouting as he knew no one could hear him.
He looked back towards the alleyway entrance that leads to the backyard. He began making his way there when he caught a motion. It was quick and blended in with the darkness from the alleyway. “Who's there?”, but no answer came from the pitch darkness. “Listen, come out. I got an army of people to hunt you down. It's best you just come out now and give up!” he shouted into the alleyway. “Do monsters even speak English? Do they even speak?” Thoughts flushed through his mind as he kept his eyes on the light-less alleyway in front of him.
“I will not be the one who is hunted tonight,” a deep voice boomed from the blackness in the alleyway. Fred jumped back scared, almost tripping over himself. He looked hard into the darkness but didn't see anything. He tried to make a shape out of the voice but nothing came to mind. He took a step forward, feeling sweat fall down his cheek.
“I said I got an army coming. You really should just give up now before they get here!” Fred put his hands on the Rod. Still not sure how it worked but he was already thinking of a gun to use as protection against the masked voice.
“Bring the army,” said the voice. Its eyes opened bright yellow. “More for me to hunt,” it said before it started to scratch the side of the house. Fred took another step back. Not sure what to expect once the Unknown crawled out of the alleyway.
Chapter Seven – Scream
The creature laid in wait for Fred to make the first move. Fred slowly crept to the side of the backyard, trying to figure a way out of the situation. Running through the house, even when invisible, wasn't the best idea. However, jumping across the neighbor’s fence to get into the next yard would leave him exposed for a moment. Fred still wasn't even sure what the Unknown was.
The clawing across the house came to a halt and Fred relaxed for a moment. “Are you afraid?” the voice hissed from the darkness. Its yellow eyes were shining bright against the darkness it hid in.
“No, but you should be.” Fred said as he tried to edge away from it some more. He decided jumping the fence to the next yard was his best option.
“I should be?” Fred could hear movement finally. “Boy, you look like you’re ready to die of fright. Do I scare you?”
Fred's back hit the fence. “What are you?”
“Do you really want to know?”
Fred turned around as quick as he could, grabbed the top of the fence, and hoisted himself up. With every ounce of strength he had in his arms he pulled himself over, kicked off the fence, and landed on the other side. He fell directly on his left shoulder and felt a surge of pain course through it. He quickly pushed himself up, feeling a sharp pain spanning along his entire left side. Ignoring it and stumbling backwards, he kept looking at the fence he just jumped over.
He could hear footsteps from the other side. Strange, loud claps were hitting the grass. Almost horse-like, but heavier. It was getting closer but moving at a slow pace. Fred proceeded to walk backwards, keeping his eye on the fence. “Just you wait, help is on the way,” He said, words fumbling out of his mouth. He couldn't cover being scared any longer.
“Death comes for us all,” the voice came from right behind the fence. The shadow of the creature was coming through the cracks of the fence. Fred could hear it breathing heavily. “The question I always ask my prey is this. Are you more afraid of the hunt or the actual dying part?” Its claws started playing alongside the fence. Fred stood there, too scared to move. “My favorite part? It's finding out which one it is.” It began to laugh.
“I can't believe I made a freaking spear!” Nick was twirling the spear as he made his way outside his house. He slowly walked down the street studying his new weapon. “I've never actually used a spear in my life. I don't even know how to use this thing as a weapon.” He couldn't help but laugh at himself. He saw the streets were mostly empty but wanted to make sure he wouldn't be seen, so he checked his beeper and hit the red button. His body became hot real fast, he felt a spasm in his head, and then it was all over. Nick wasn't ready for it so he took a moment and sat down.
“Ouch,” he moaned, as he rubbed his temples. The pain was gone but the sudden spasm caught him off guard. Unlike Fred, he hadn't felt it before with the instructions for the hunt. This was something completely new to him.
“Man, I was such an idiot before.” He thought about the way he had treated Fred. “How could I let him do this all by himself? What kind of friend am I? To just let him go off in the night fighting God knows what.” He looked at his spear. “But I really didn't believe it. I didn't think this was real.” He stood up and began the walk towards his destination.
Fred turned around again and ran down the empty alleyway. There was complete lack of light as he ran through it. He heard a shattering sound behind him but he didn't dare look back as he ran as fast as his chubby legs could take him. “Yes run. I love the sound of fear!” it roared as he pulled through the alleyway at last. He got to the end of the front yard before turning back. He peered into the dark alleyway in which he just ran through but saw nothing. The beast was playing games with him.
“I don't know what the hell you are or what you want but...” Fred actually didn't know what to say. The creature hadn't shown itself yet. He had no clue what he was even talking to. He grabbed for his Rod and snapped it off his belt. He began to concentrate, trying to create something to fight the beast. He felt his body getting tighter as he thought about a gun. His bones felt stained, his eyes held tightly shut, and then a huge light shined through the night. He opened his eyes a moment later and in his hands he held a gun. Even with this powerful weapon in his hands he still felt weak. “I got a gun. You better not come out here!”
“A gun? What's that going to do against me? Do you know what a person with wolf's blood is called? There are many names for us. Tales about us since the beginning of time. I am a god amongst my species. Why you ask?” the voice asked, coming from in front of him. He held the gun towards the alleyway but saw no shadows or shapes. “Because I am more advanced than a simple wolf.” The voice now came from above. He raised his gun to the roofs of the homes. “I hunt better than any human can imagine.” He aimed towards the third building to the left. He heard the voice come from there but he saw nothing. He tried to aim as steady as he could but his hands kept shaking. “I want nothing more than to kill you. However, I need you.” Its voice coming from below. He aimed his gun to the grass below his feet, backing up. “Do not fear me, for I am the bringer of new life.” The voice came from behind. He turned just as the beast struck.
“I know I'm not in the best shape, but come on.” Nick came to a halt around five blocks away. He felt too tired for only walking a couple of blocks. Something was draining his energy. His body began to feel tight all around. “Could it be the
spear? Carl didn't mention anything about this.” He let out a huge sigh but kept moving. “I gotta get to Fred and ask him about this.”
Fred jumped back but the beast was too quick. It slashed him right below the neck, across the chest causing him to stumble backwards and trip. He quickly recovered and scrambled away while aiming the gun at the beast. He could feel a burning sensation on his chest. While he knew that he was struck, he didn't want to see how bad it was. He just felt the blood tickling down his stomach. The beast looked up, it's deadly yellow eyes staring at him.
“You sure move fast for a fat kid,” the Unknown said, laughing at its own joke. Its face was covered with scars and ripped skin looking mostly human, though huge missing chucks of flesh were gone. The whole chest was covered with fur as was the rest of its body. It had pitch black looking fur. It wore no clothes, only concealed behind its massive fur. Its claws were at least four inches long, with each fingernail sharp and deadly. The combination made for a lethal hybrid of human and beast. “No matter, you won't be able to escape me again.” The creature made its way off the roof of the car. The hideous yellow eyes focused on Fred.
“What the hell are you!?” He kept his gun aimed at the beast while moving backwards. He wanted so badly to scream for help. He was scared out of his mind. Who would help him though? Who would believe him? No one else can see this realm. This realm where this beast stood, waiting to finish off its pathetic prey. “What am I? I told you already.”
“You said you aren't a wolf or a man. So are you both? A werewolf?” He wasn't sure what to do. He was trying to buy time while thinking of what to do next.
“Werewolf? I believe you watch too many movies, boy. I said I am a god. I am no wolf. I am no human. I am both but neither,” it replied as it took a step closer. “Yes, fear me, young one.” It took another step closer. He was ready to pull the trigger. “I am something far beyond both. You will know the true meaning of being hunted,” it growled heavily as it was ready to strike again. A massive chunk of its skin was missing where its teeth were located, making the razor sharpness show even more. It was both repulsive and menacing at the same time.
Only a block away now Nick felt tired. He kneeled over for a moment taking a breath. “What the hell kind of trick is this? Yeah, make whatever you want out of this Rod thingy,” he said, mimicking Carl's voice. “Just remember that it might exhaust you to the point of death! Thanks, Carl!”
Nick looked up into the sky just as a nice breeze hit him. He let the cold air give him a boost as he wiped the sweat off of his forehead. “Almost there.” He slowly walked towards the end of the block before he had to turn down the street Fred was supposed to be on.
Fred shot right at the beast. It didn't bother to move, it just took the bullet in the chest. Fred felt a surge of energy through his arm, then his muscled cramped and he almost dropped the gun. If it wasn't for the fact he was scared he probably would have fallen to the ground. He could feel the energy from his body getting ripped away.
The beast looked up at him and smiled. “Honestly, I was wondering if you were going shoot that thing or just hold it all day.” It stepped forward, letting the blood from the bullet wound seep down.
“Get back!” Fred shot again. This bullet hit the beast right in the stomach. It let out a growl as it folded over. Fred moved back again, and could feel almost all his energy leaving his body. His muscles were getting tighter, his eyes becoming heavy and his arms were becoming weak.
“You don't even know your own weakness.” The creature walked forward now. Fred went to shoot again but his energy was almost completely gone. He dropped the gun on the ground and fell to his knees. “The saddest part about killing is watching the prey give up. In a few months from now it would have been more fun hunting you.” The beast stood over Fred, whose eyes could hardly stay open. “Prey is still prey though,” it said as it launched its open mouth and clamped down tightly on Fred's shoulder. Fred's eyes opened as wide as they could. He let out a horrible scream that echoed for blocks. It was a scream so loud that if he was in the realm of humanity every person on the block would be outside now.
He wasn't in the realm of humanity, though. He was in the realm of these monsters; these creatures that could easily kill him at any moment. He felt something burn his shoulders. It was worse than the terrible burning of being bit. It felt like something was ripping into his shoulder. He let out another cry, screaming for help. No one could hear him. No one but Nick, who stood only twenty feet away, but was too scared to help his dying friend.
Chapter Eight – Lifeless
Nick had no words to say once reaching the site. He saw the wolf hybrid stand over its pray with howls of excitement. Blood dripping down from its mouth. “It can’t be,” was the first thought to enter Nick’s head. His friend was laying there, motionless, blood sprayed all over the grass of the yard.
Nick took a step forward as the monstrous creature had not noticed him yet. He studied the Unknown, hunched over, teeth sharp, and claws even sharper. Its yellow eyes were staring down at Fred. It stumbled backwards for a second like it had been hit with a surge of electricity. Nick didn’t let the moment of weakness slip away as he flung himself forward with the spear in front. The creature only turned half way around, receiving the tip of the spear through its side. This time, the beast howled in pain.
Blood appearing almost instantaneously to the attack. The spear had made a deep impact, blood dripping down the length of it. The tip was deep inside its body. Nick withdrew the spear and took a step back. The beast took a step closer but fell to one knee, holding its side while blood squeezed through its claws. Nick knew it was in pain, and he was ready to build upon that.
Nick drew his spear back, readying for another strike. The monster let out a small cry, as though begging for pity, sounding like a dog. “Shut up you bastard!” shouted Nick, ready to put the spear in the monster. The creature's eyes lit back up, as it rolled to the side just when the spear came down. As the tip hit the dirt the beast jumped forward, with claws ready to strike. If it wasn't for the pain the beast would have torn through Nick with ease. The wound however, stopped it from doing a full lunge and it was only able to rip through the front of Nick's shirt.
Nick jumped back, pulling the spear with him, readying himself for another attack. The creature rose and held its bloody wound. Once looking at the damage, it howled at Nick, “You...common...bug...” Its breath was coming heavy. The wound was bad, and it was losing energy at a quick rate. Not wasting any more time, it came at Nick once again.
Nick lunged with his spear but with no training his grip was off. The monster knocked both the spear and Nick's hand away as it came closer. Nick threw his left hand forward for a punch but to no avail, the beast's face felt like it was made of stone. Grabbing Nick's left arm it dug the razor sharp claws into him. It let out a howl of excitement as Nick roared with pain.
Nick let the spear slip backwards through his right hand till the tip wasn't far from his hand. He tightened his grip and shoved the tip of the spear right into the stomach of the beast as it held him. Those yellow eyes widen, flickering, and Nick could see behind the yellow eyes it had red ones. The beast let go of Nick and held its new wound. Blood was gushing out of this one at an alarming rate.
Nick took the few seconds he had to back step a few feet. He didn’t want to retreat, but at the way his energy was leaving his body there wasn’t much more he could do. His vision slowly began to become fuzzy. He stopped a few feet away from his friend lying on the ground. “Fred,” he cried out. He saw the massive amount of blood. He felt he was already too late.
The beast growled at Nick. Its pain was very apparent, but so was the fact it wanted to rip Nick into pieces. “Yeah, big boy, I'm not going anywhere. I will kill you!” Nick pointed the spear at the beast, this time holding it with both hands. The beast roared into the night sky.
“This wasn't the plan,” it shrieked at Nick. Nick stood there quietly; spear in hand ready for de
fense. “Why did you show up? Who are you?”
“The person who's gonna kill you.”
“Kill me?”
“I'm sorry; did I hit you over the head or something? Can't hear me? I said I'm the one who's gonna kill you.” Nick felt the adrenaline building inside of him. He could feel he was getting weaker the longer he held on to the spear. He fought against his body, commanding it to hold out just a little longer.
“Why does every kid in this town talk back to me like this? You should bow down before a god like me!” Now it was standing back on its feet. Nick could see that it was losing balance, with its eyes flickering, and body covered with blood.
“Bow down?” Nick pointed the spear towards the Unknowns' face. “Sorry, but I was taught to never bow down to things lesser than me.” He glanced at his friend lying on the ground. He could feel the anger building up in him. “Especially something who preys on the weak!”
“Ah, but hunting is the fun part of life, no?”
“No, hunting the ones who are a challenge,” Nick began as he stepped forward, tightening his grip on the spear. “That's the only real fun in a hunt”
“I think I found my challenge then.” The beast smiled. The huge ugly face twisted, showing the disgusting teeth through the empty patches of skin. It stepped forward, and Nick stepped backwards.
“It's almost dead. Keep back, strike from afar. Keep hitting it till it can't stand anymore. Keep it at a safe distance. You've been through worse. Stay with me, body.” Nick could feel his body was getting tighter, his breathing became heavier. He wanted to just fall down and sleep but he wasn't about to give in. Not after he saw his friend assaulted so viciously. He would stand until he could stand no more.
Exterminators Infected (The Exterminators Book 1) Page 6
